Rafa holds Champions League crisis talks

07 November 2009 07:54

Rafael Benitez has held talks with his Liverpool bosses over the implications if the club fail to reach the last 16 of this season's Champions League.

Discussions were also held on if the club fail to qualify for next season's lucrative European competition and the Liverpool manager revealed that the club did not budget this term for anything beyond the group stages.

Benitez said: "I spoke to Christian Purslow (Liverpool's managing director) the other day about the finances. The first thing, though, is that we have confidence we can still reach the last 16 of the Champions League this season."

And Benitez insisted he was confident that financial problems next season will be avoided "because we will achieve a top four finish".

Liverpool have never failed to reach the last 16 under Benitez's management, but they are in grave danger of that eventuality now with qualification from Group E out of their hands after the midweek draw in Lyon.

They must hope that Lyon win their next match away to Fiorentina, and that Liverpool win their final two group games to produce the "miracle" Benitez admits they need now.

Liverpool face earning £10million less from their European campaign this season if they do not reach the last 16, with another £10million lost if they do not qualify for next season's group stages.

Benitez added: "Whatever happens, the budget was done for this season based on us only qualifying for the group stages. And we did that, that is complete.

"Whether we can still bring in more money, we will wait and see. The commercial department is working very hard, for the next season (in Europe) it is a question of time.

"The Premier League is a long race, we must keep going. I am confident the team will finish in the top four and we are able to continue to do well in Europe."